Top Four Places to Pop the Question in Minneapolis

November 10, 2018

Here at JB Hudson, we’re experts at helping you get engaged. We’ll educate you on the perfect diamond and setting for your tastes and budget. We’ve even got the JB Hudson Promise to show you our commitment. We’re here to be your jeweler for life, which normally starts with an engagement ring purchase.

As longtime residents of downtown Minneapolis (we’ve been around since 1885), we’re also experts on everything romantic within the City of Lakes. We’ve compiled this list of four wonderful spots to pop the question to your significant other.

Stone Arch Bridge
117 Portland Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403

The perennial classic: the Stone Arch Bridge. Built as a railroad bridge by tycoon James J. Hill in 1883, the bridge now only supports foot traffic. The pedestrian bridge has no bad points to pop the question, either. The bridge has unobstructed breathtaking views of downtown Minneapolis, Saint Anthony Falls, the Mill City Ruins, and historic Saint Anthony Main.

Pop the question on the bridge, closer to Saint Anthony Main. Have a friend or photographer ready to capture your special moment with the skyline in the background. To celebrate your new engagement, walk to the Aster Cafe (125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414). Pop a bottle of bubbly, sit on their cute patio, and admire how good your ring looks against the Minneapolis skyline.

Witches Hat Water Tower
55 Malcolm Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

You’re gonna have to plan for this one. Only open one (1) evening per year, the views from the top of this vintage water tower are worth the wait. The ‘water tower in Tower Hill Park’ was built in 1913 as a public works project. Its iconic green roof resembled the hat of a witch, and the name stuck. Views from the water tower are stunning: not only do you get to see the Minneapolis skyline with a setting sun behind it, you can also admire the rolling hills of Southeast Minneapolis and the Mississippi River Valley.

The tower is only open during the Pratt School Ice Cream social, which is held on the Friday after Memorial Day. Visiting hours are 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Expect your engagement to be public; they normally have between 500- 800 spectators that night. After you climb back down the winding staircase, walk over to Surly Brewing Company (520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) for a celebratory order of cheese curds and one of their award winning beers. Nothing is more Minnesota than that.

Guthrie Theater ‘Endless Bridge’
818 S 2nd St
Minneapolis, MN 55415

We admit that the intermission to ‘Ophelia’ probably isn’t the best time to pop the question. But did you know the Guthrie is open durning non-show times, too? The ‘Endless Bridge’, located toward the rear of the building, extends over the old railroad tracks that run along the Mississippi River. The ‘bridge’ opens up to views of Saint Anthony Falls and the surrounding Mill District. The sound of rushing water combined with the expansive vista is Minneapolis romance perfected.

How do you end up at the Guthrie Theater without going to a show? Start with ice cream at Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe (1100 Second Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55415). Walk through Gold Medal Park (Second Street and 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415) until you get to the Guthrie. Celebrate your ‘I do’s’ with reservations at Sea Change, located within the Guthrie at street level, or Spoon River (750 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401).

Foshay Tower
821 S Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402

If there was a building that defined the Minneapolis skyline, it would be the Foshay Tower. Built in 1929 by businessman Wilbur Foshay to house his corporate offices. The Great Depression had other plans for that, however. Now, the W Hotel operates a 230 room hotel in the historic tower. The observation deck, located on the 31st floor, offers unobstructed views for almost 30 miles on clear days.

Here’s how you do it: book a room for two night romantic getaway, both Friday and Saturday. Friday night after work, head downtown and check into your room. Have dinner at Zelo (831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402) just a short walk away. On your way back, stop at the Living Room, adjacent to the hotel lobby, for a drink. Saturday morning, head down for brunch at Key’s Cafe (114 S 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402) before you head to the observation deck, which is open from 11a to 5p. Pop the question on top of the quintessential Minneapolis building before heading downstairs to Manny’s Steakhouse for dinner, located adjacent to the hotel lobby. Arrange for a late checkout on Sunday and sleep in!

If these four wonderful places to pop the question has you thinking of shopping for an engagement ring, contact us! Not only are we experts on romance, we’re also experts on the top bridal trends. We’ll set you up with a ring that will last you a lifetime. We’ll give you the tools to turn any proposal into an engagement, you just need to supply the courage. To set up an appointment to view our bridal collection, contact us here!